Packaging/display of products

ABSTRACT

A security label for attachment to an article, the security label including a planar security tag laminated in-between first and second carrier layers, the second layer overlying the planar security tag and having a peripheral marginal portion which projects beyond and extends around the peripheral edge of the security tag, said peripheral marginal portion of the second layer being bonded in face to face contact with said first layer, said first layer having a peripheral marginal portion which projects beyond and extends around the peripheral edge of the second layer, said peripheral marginal portion of the first layer providing a surface for securance to said article.

This invention relates to improvements in or relating to,packaging/display of merchandise products, and has particularapplication with smaller types of DIY products which have previouslybeen packaged on a card, for example blister-packed hangers, displayedon a wire support or rail.

One aspect of the invention relates to a convenient way of providingsecurity tagging of the hanger, and another aspect of the invention,which can be employed independently of the security tagging aspect, isan anti-theft mechanism for resisting/hindering removal of the productfrom its hanger whilst being displayed on sale.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided asecurity label for attachment to an article, the security labelincluding a planar security tag laminated inbetween first and secondcarrier layers, the second layer overlying the planar security tag andhaving a peripheral marginal portion which projects beyond and extendsaround the peripheral edge of the security tag, said peripheral marginalportion of the second layer being bonded in face to face contact withsaid first layer, said first layer having a peripheral marginal portionwhich projects beyond and extends around the peripheral edge of thesecond layer, said peripheral marginal portion of the first layerproviding a surface for securance to said article.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 1a is a section along line X—X in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged front and rear perspective views of thehanger shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 5a shows a label blank of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 5b shows an RF tag to be incorporated with the label blank of FIG.5a;

FIG. 5c is a rear view of a label assembled from the blank and tag ofFIGS. 5a and 5 b respectively;

FIGS. 6 to 8 are respectively a front view, a rear view and a centralpart-sectional view of a different form of hanger according to thepresent invention; and

FIGS. 9 to 11 are respectively a front view, a side view and a rear viewof a further form of hanger according to the present invention.

As will be described hereinafter, this invention relates to improvementsin or relating to packaging/display of products, and although theinvention will be described in relation to, and has particularapplication with, smaller types of DIY products, the invention is notrestricted solely to the packaging/display of such products, but canfind more general application. Moreover although, as will be described,various inventive aspects can conveniently be utilised together, theycan alternatively be used independently of one another.

Conventionally small DIY products have been blister-packed onto arectangular hanger usually formed from card which can have informationon both sides thereof, there being adjacent the upper edge of the hangera slot so that the hanger can be suspended from an elongated metal rodor rail projecting from a display board or the like in a store.

Although with the packaging/display means of the invention, a cardhaving the described slot therethrough could still be used, thepackaging/display means of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 comprisesa hanger 10, which, in the embodiment shown in these Figures, isrectangular and is moulded from a plastics material such as high impactpolystyrene. Adjacent its upper narrower edge, an elongated slot 11 isprovided through the plastics hanger.

Below the slot 11, and disposed centrally between the longer sides ofthe hanger 10 is an open bottomed recess which defines a square windowor opening 12 through the hanger.

Below the opening 12 there is provided a releasable attachment means 14which is configured to attach a specific form of merchandise product tosaid hanger, thereby to act as an anti-theft mechanism in preventing, orat least resisting/hindering, removal of the product from its hangerwhilst the hanger is hung in a store. Particularly the attachment meansmay comprise at least one screw, which will prevent opportunist theft ofthe displayed product from its hanger in a store, in requiring someoneremoving the product having an implement, such as a screwdriver or thelike and being in view for some time whilst removing the fixingscrew(s). Although, as will be described, an attachment means 14 of ahanger 10 can be common for co-operation with several differentmerchandise products, in many cases the attachment means 14 isparticular to a single merchandise product. In FIGS. 1 to 4, attachmentmeans is in the form of a bolt (not shown) having a hexagonal head. Thehanger 10 is therefore provided with a hexagnonal socket 16 at the rearof the hanger for receiving the hexagnonal head of the bolt and athrough bore 15 to enable the shank of the bolt to pass therethrough tothe front of the hanger. A nut or cap is provided for screwing on theend of the shank of the bolt at the front of the hanger, thereby toengage against the product and secure it to the front of the hanger.

FIG. 5a shows a label blank 17 formed of a square or rectangular frontcarrier layer or part 18 and a smaller square or rectangular rearcarrier layer or part 19, the two parts being preferably foldablyconnected together at a side of the front part 18 by a pair of integraltabs 20 extending from the rear part 19. The blank 17 is preferablyformed from a plastics film suitable for printing or a light paper/cardlaminated with a plastics film.

As shown, adjacent its edge remote from the connection of the tabs 20,the front part 18 is optionally provided therethrough with a slot 21which is of identical form to the slot 11 but of slightly increased sizeso as to fit over a rim 22 which extends around the slot 11 of thehanger at both front and rear sides thereof. At the underside of thefront part 18, as viewed in FIG. 5a, a square or rectangular locationarea LA can be indicated (for example by suitable printing) for thepositioning of a complementarily shaped Radio Frequency (RF) securitytag 23 shown in FIG. 5b. This can be of conventional form, namely a thinplastics strip with a metal printed circuit arrangement thereon whichcan activate conventional security detection equipment adjacent an exitdoor of a store thereby to sound an alarm bell, buzzer or the like toindicate that the security tag has not been removed/activated and thatthe tagged product is thus being illegally removed. It will beappreciated that planar security tags of types other than RF tags may beused.

Preferably the rear face of the blank 17 (as viewed in FIG. 5a) iscoated with a suitable adhesive, preferably a pressure sensitive contactadhesive. Assembly of a label 117 (as seen in FIG. 5c) is achieved bylocating a planar security tag on the location area LA, and then foldingthe rear part 19 so as to overlie the security tag 23. The tabs 20 guidethe folding operation to ensure that the rear part 19 is centrallylocated above the location area LA.

The relative shape and sizes of the front part 18, rear parts 19 andsecurity tag 23 are chosen such that in the assembled label 117, therear part 19 projects beyond and around the peripheral edge 23 a of thetag 23 to define a peripheral marginal portion 19 b which is bonded inface to face contact with the front part 18.

In addition, the front part 18 projects beyond and around the peripheraledge 19 a of the rear part 19 to define a peripheral marginal portion 18b for attachment to the hanger 10.

Since the new face of the front part 18 carries an adhesive coating, theadhesive is exposed on the marginal peripheral portion 18 b for bondingwith the hanger 10.

As seen in FIG. 5c, the tabs 20 extend across the lower portion of theperipheral marginal portion 18 b and so in the area of tabs 20, theadhesive on the marginal portion 18 b is covered by tabs 20. Desirablytherefore, the area of adhesive masked by the tabs 20 is kept to aminimum in order to maximize the area for bonding to the hanger. Thismay be achieved by making the tabs of minimum width and providing aminimum number of tabs.

In order to accommodate the label 117 the hanger 10 is provided with anopen bottomed recess 100 (FIG. 1a, 3).

The recess 100 is surrounded about its periphery by platform 101 formedby a flat surface on the hanger 10. The marginal peripheral portion 18 bof the label 117 is bonded in face to face contact with platform 101.

The bottom of the recess 100 is open to define a window 12 surrounded bya ledge 13.

As illustrated in FIG. 1a, the dimensions of the widow 12 are chosen tobe greater than the dimensions of the RF tag 23 so that the tag 23 islocated wholly within the window. In addition, the depth of the ledge 13below the platform 101 corresponds to at least the thickness of the rearpart 19. Accordingly, due to the size of the window 12 (whichaccommodates the combined thickness of the tag 23 and rear part 19) andthe depth of ledge 13, the front part 18, when applied to the platform101 extends across the recess 100 in a substantially flat manner.Similarly, the rear part 19 when viewed through the window 12, extendsin a substantially flat manner.

Accordingly, when bonded to the hanger 10, the label 117 visuallyappears to an observer to be substantially flat and disguises the factthat a RF tag 23 is laminated inbetween the front and rear parts 18, 19.

It is envisaged that the window 12 may be of reduced dimensions suchthat the ledge 13 overlies a peripheral marginal portion of the RF tag23. In such a case, in order to maintain the flat appearance of thelabel 117, the depth of the ledge 13 would be increased to accommodatethe combined thickness of the RF tag 23 and rear part 19.

In addition, in order to disguise the presence of tabs 20 and therebymaintain the flat appearance of the front part 18, the platform 101 isprovided with recesses 101 a corresponding in shape, size and depth tothe tabs 20.

Conveniently, the outer face of the rear part 19 is printed withdesirable indicia, such as a barcode 24 so that when applied to thehanger 10, the barcode 24 is visible through the window 12.

It will be appreciated that with the arrangement described, it is notpossible to tamper with the RF security tag 23 from the rear of thehanger through the window 12 given that the rear part 19 is securelyheld in the recess 100 by virtue of the front part 18 being securelystuck to the platform 101 on the front of the hanger 10. Thus the edgesof the rear part 19 cannot be accessed through the window 12 with aview, to gaining access under these to reach the tag 23. Accordingly asecure, effective and aesthetically pleasing, yet practical securityarrangement is provided with a conventional type of ‘card’ packaging,whilst the new arrangement can be hung on a conventional ‘euroslot’hanger. If required, it may be possible for the faces of the RF securitytag 23 to be coated with a pressure sensitive contact adhesive toimprove its face to face bonding with the front and rear parts 18, 19.

It is envisaged that the bottom of recess 100 may be closed (i.e. theopening which defines window 12 is not provided). In such a case, thedepth of the recess is chosen to be sufficient to accommodate thecombined thickness of the tag 23 and rear part 19. Preferably, the ledge13 is retained (for accommodating the thickness of the rear part 19only) with the ledge 13 surrounding a central well of a depthcorresponding to the combined thickness of the tag 23 and rear part 19.With such an arrangement, the tag 23 may be accommodated withoutaffecting the smooth flat appearance of the front part 19 when the label117 is applied to the hanger 10.

If the recess 100 has a closed bottom, it is envisaged that the plasticsmaterial for forming the hanger 10 may be transparent to thereby enablethe outer face of the rear part 19 to be viewed.

The only difference between the label shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and thatshown in FIG. 5a is that the bottom of the front part of the label shownin FIGS. 1 and 2 is shaped to accommodate the arrangement 14, so thathere the rear part of the label would not project from the bottom of thefront part but from the top thereof, at which it is foldable relative tothe front part, with the tabs extending further to bring the rear part,when folded, in register with the rebated opening 12.

The front surface of the front part 18 can be printed with information,as required, but if further or more detailed instructions are neededwith the packaging, a fold-out label can be secured to the front of thepart 18. The label 117 has the barcode printed on its rear part 19 and,as described, the window 12 frames the barcode at the rear of thehanger.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a series of differently sizedcircular holes 26 can be provided through the hanger at the sides of theopening 12, so that these remain visible at the rear of the package.These holes 26 can be provided with the packaging for certain DIYproducts, so as to function as a drill bit ˜and screw size gauge, theholes also serving to reduce material in the pack.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show a further form of hanger, denoted by the numeral 27,which is adapted to receive a label 117 in the same manner as the hanger10. In this regard the hanger 27 has a recess defining a window 12surrounded by a ledge 13. The platform 101 is provided with recesses 101a for receiving tabs 20. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, thehanger is also provided with drill bit holes of the same or a similarform to the holes 26 for the hanger 10.

The main difference with the hanger 27 is in relation to the attachmentarrangement at its lower end for securing a product to the hanger. Withthe hanger 27, the attachment arrangement, identified by the numeral 31,is such that several different products can all be secured thereto by ascrew fixing, possibly in conjunction with some form of fixing cap,strap, tab, nut or the like which can be a separate moulded part, forexample, to engage on the screw and be tightened against part of theproduct so as to hold it firmly on the hanger. For example the hanger 27shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, along with the label 117 attached thereto canform a point of sale display/security hanger for such DIY products as asilicone sealant finisher, an adhesive spreader set, a tile nibbler, atile and laminate cutter and a tile lift, all these products merelybeing attached by a screw fixing at the arrangement 31 with theremainder of the product hanging down from the bottom of the hanger 27.As well as screw fixing holes 32 into which the securing screw would beself tapping, the arrangement 31 also optionally incorporates cable tiethreading boles 33 through which a tie can be threaded for securing amerchandise product to the hanger.

A further form of hanger 34 shown in FIGS. 9 to 11. In principle, hanger34 differs from hanger 10 in that the window 12 is divided by a crossportion 37 of the hanger. The provision of one or more cross portions 37provides strength to the hanger and enables a relatively large window 12to be produced. An attachment arrangement 40 is shown at the bottom ofthe hanger 34, disposed within the confines of the rectangular shape ofthe hanger itself, rather than being an appendage therefrom. Thearrangement 40 incorporates two spaced key hole slots 41 in the rearsurface of the hanger, these having respective associated countersunkholes 42 at the lower ends thereof in the front surface of the hanger,this hanger being particularly for attachment of a tile shaper.

In the above described embodiments, the label 117 has been applied to ahanger to which a merchandise product is to be attached. It will beappreciated that the label 117 of the present invention may be appliedto other types of product. It will also be appreciated, that the hangerof the present invention is highly environmentally friendly as it usesthe minimum quantity of materials necessary, all of which may berecycled and can be reused in various ways, thereby ensuring that thereis minimal wastage of raw materials. In addition, by incorporatinguseful utility features into the hanger during moulding, the user mayfind the hanger itself a useful tool (such as a drill/screw gauge orruler) after removal of the merchandise product. This makes the hangereven more environmentally friendly since the hanger is not discarded aswaste but is retained for use by the user.

The hanger having a label 117 applied thereto enables consumers to touchand feel the merchandise product; reduces space taken up by the producton the shelf; eliminates unnecessary packaging; reduces the amount ofdamaged products in store; reduces theft through one or both of thesecurity tagging and the anti-theft mechanism; its design enables thesame shelf system to be used; the security tag is both concealed fromview and located so as to be tamper proof it enables detailedinstructions to be incorporated onto the folded label at the front ofthe packaging whilst always allowing the barcode to be visible atsubstantially the same position at the rear of the packaging.

Instead of being of plastics material, the hanger could be of card orany other suitable material. In a further alternative arrangement, thesecurity tag could be moulded into the thickness of the plasticsmaterial hanger. The security tag used can be of any type and can alsobe of any suitable shape or form.

What is claimed is:
 1. A security label for attachment to an article,the security label including a planar security tag laminated inbetweenfirst and second carrier layers, the second layer overlying the planarsecurity tag and having a peripheral marginal portion which projectsbeyond and extends around the peripheral edge of the security tag, saidperipheral marginal portion of the second layer being bonded in face toface contact with said first layer, said first layer having a peripheralmarginal portion which projects beyond and extends around the peripheraledge of the second layer, said peripheral marginal portion of the firstlayer providing a surface for securance to said article, said labelsecured in face to face contact with said article, said article includesa body having a recess surrounded by a platform to which said peripheralmarginal portion of the first layer is adhesively bonded, said recesshaving a peripheral shape and being of sufficient depth to accommodatesaid second layer and said security tag.
 2. A label according to claim 1wherein opposed faces of the first and second layers are coated with anadhesive such that said peripheral marginal portion of the second layeris bonded in face to face contact with said first layer by said adhesiveand such that adhesive is exposed on said peripheral marginal portion ofthe first layer to enable the label to be adhesively secured to saidarticle.
 3. A label according to claim 2 wherein said adhesive is apressure sensitive adhesive.
 4. A label according to claim 2 whereinsaid first and second layers are foldably connected to one another priorto lamination.
 5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein saidrecess is open bottomed to define a window.
 6. The combination accordingto claim 1 wherein said recess has a closed bottom formed of atransparent material to render visible the outer face of the secondlayer.
 7. The combination according to claims 1 wherein said body isshaped to define a merchandise hanger to which a merchandise product isattached.
 8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein saidmerchandise hanger is of planar form having front and rear faces, saidsurrounding platform being formed on said front or rear face.
 9. Thecombination according to claims 7 wherein said merchandise product issecured to said body by releasable attachment means.
 10. The combinationaccording to claim 9 wherein the releasable attachment means comprises ascrew or bolt.
 11. The combination according to claims 1 wherein saidbody is a plastics moulding.
 12. A method of applying a planar securitytag to an article, the method comprising forming a label according toclaim 1 and adhesively bonding said peripheral marginal portion of thefirst layer to said article.